I read Isaiah 2 and 3 this morning. Will be in the Word a lot today, as I prepare once again to lead our youth! Isaiah 2 and 3 were for me and my personal quiet time. (is there such thing with a screaming baby?) :)
I was thinking this morning that as much as I like to read what everyone is doing on this blog we have little, if no, interaction with each other concerning our post(s) or anything else in our lives for that matter. I was thinking that I have no idea what’s going on in each of your areas not so much concerning what we do on Sunday’s but what some obstacles or struggles you might be having as a leader or even personal struggles. So, I have a proposal….can we make this blog not only about what we are doing in our spiritual lives but maybe some deeper stuff that we might need some advice on or just know that we are being prayed for and can we get some interactions within our posts? I think this blog would have lots more meaning if we used it as a place where we can air out questions or things that we need some help processing, as well as a place for accountability. Maybe I am alone in this thought but I wanted to throw this our there incase I wasn’t; of coarse all ideas come from a need for something so naturally I have a question that I have been wrestling with that I would like some advice on so I want to post it but I didn’t want to post it for everyone just to read but because I am a verbal processor I need to talk/type it out to fully figure out what I think.
ok, here's my question for those that want to weigh in.
At what point is it appropriate to tell someone that you see a spiritual disconnect in their lives and you think that they aren't making choices that would be pleasing to God?
Finally finished Job this morning. Crazy book. Reading in Romans too. If you're ever feeling beat-up by life, read Romans 8...it "girds you up" and gives you hope and strength.
Just scrolled down and read your comment, Kristen. Let's do it! As for your question, I have no idea other than to pray that if it's a good thing, that God would show you an opening to speak humbly and boldly and that the words spoken would be His. You'll know if it's the Spirit guiding.
Today, I was reviewing for youth group and I was reading the story of Abrahm in Gen 12. I was struck by how much Abrahm didn't trust God to provide for him initially. Time and again, he tries to take matters into his own hands and everytime, it backfires on him. Yet, how far he comes to trust that God would save His son later. I guess we all learn from our mistakes. He reminds me so much of me. I say that I have faith in God yet I try so often to control my own life and not offer it up completely to God. Does that make me a hyprocrite? Maybe a little. I offer up so much in prayer but am not patient enough to watch what God does with that. Although I can't just say "I am waiting on God" with everything--some things DO take action but there is a fine line there I think.
Kristen, I think that it depends on the nature of the relationship you have with that particular person. I think that Beth is right, you have to pray over it but if it is someone you are close to and who shares our faith, I think you can say something sooner and maybe more direct than if that person is new to their faith. I always get afraid to repeat the mistakes that were made in my upbringing yet as Christians, we are called to help each other grow. Yet, sometimes that can be seen as judgement or stereotypical Christian behavior. (dare we repeat the mistakes of our parents! HAHA)I think you have to pray that God puts the right words on your heart and that you can say things in such a way that would honor Him and not drive the other person away. You also pray that God will keep their mind open as you speak to them. You are a true leader in Christ. God has blessed you with amazing gifts--one of which is confrontation. I think that He will put the right words on your lips and in your heart. (If this is a real life situation rather than just a hypothetical question for sake of the blog...)
I did the BCP hours this morning. I'm having a low energy morning which is bad because it's sermon prep all day. Hope this week's sermon doesn't put everyone to sleep!
I am reading Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God. Really good stuff. I need to process it more before I say anything, especially in writing because it takes me longer to be coherent in print.
I read Psalm 49 this morning. At first I found myself lining up on the side of the Psalmist as if he were not like those he was writing against. But then I realized that I had misunderstood who the Psalmist thought he was. He says, "But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for He will receive me." The Psalmist had written that those who are all about their own splendor and grandeur will not endure. Their end is Sheol. But I don't think the Psalmist sees himself as different from those he writes against. It seems like he is lining up as one of then. But there is, of course, one difference and that is his confession of faith in God to redeem him from the path that leads to death.
By the way, the "word verification" below the comment box is "flerc". I gotta figure out a way to use that in a sentence.
"If we are truly following God's calling - the things he puts before us will only be able to be carried out with His help."
A simple concept, but one I struggle with. I read this today and it is helpful because my inclination is to try to figure everything out and fix things through analysis, research, and conversation. I exhaust myself by trying to do what ultimately only God will be able to do through me.
After a rough children's ministry meeting, it has become apparent that God's going to have to guide me to the other side. It's 5:30am, and I've been up since 2. That's how long I will research and analyze before conceding to the fact that God's going to have to do this one....pitiful. It would have been nice to realize that at 2:30.
each week we will have a new post through which to interact. you can post comments as often as you want under each week in order to share what you are reading, disciplines you are engaging in, or encouragement to each other.
12 comments:
I did the BCP hours this morning. I hope to get all 4 offices in today.
I read Isaiah 2 and 3 this morning. Will be in the Word a lot today, as I prepare once again to lead our youth! Isaiah 2 and 3 were for me and my personal quiet time. (is there such thing with a screaming baby?) :)
I was thinking this morning that as much as I like to read what everyone is doing on this blog we have little, if no, interaction with each other concerning our post(s) or anything else in our lives for that matter. I was thinking that I have no idea what’s going on in each of your areas not so much concerning what we do on Sunday’s but what some obstacles or struggles you might be having as a leader or even personal struggles. So, I have a proposal….can we make this blog not only about what we are doing in our spiritual lives but maybe some deeper stuff that we might need some advice on or just know that we are being prayed for and can we get some interactions within our posts?
I think this blog would have lots more meaning if we used it as a place where we can air out questions or things that we need some help processing, as well as a place for accountability. Maybe I am alone in this thought but I wanted to throw this our there incase I wasn’t; of coarse all ideas come from a need for something so naturally I have a question that I have been wrestling with that I would like some advice on so I want to post it but I didn’t want to post it for everyone just to read but because I am a verbal processor I need to talk/type it out to fully figure out what I think.
ok, here's my question for those that want to weigh in.
At what point is it appropriate to tell someone that you see a spiritual disconnect in their lives and you think that they aren't making choices that would be pleasing to God?
Finally finished Job this morning. Crazy book. Reading in Romans too. If you're ever feeling beat-up by life, read Romans 8...it "girds you up" and gives you hope and strength.
Just scrolled down and read your comment, Kristen. Let's do it! As for your question, I have no idea other than to pray that if it's a good thing, that God would show you an opening to speak humbly and boldly and that the words spoken would be His. You'll know if it's the Spirit guiding.
Today, I was reviewing for youth group and I was reading the story of Abrahm in Gen 12. I was struck by how much Abrahm didn't trust God to provide for him initially. Time and again, he tries to take matters into his own hands and everytime, it backfires on him. Yet, how far he comes to trust that God would save His son later. I guess we all learn from our mistakes. He reminds me so much of me. I say that I have faith in God yet I try so often to control my own life and not offer it up completely to God. Does that make me a hyprocrite? Maybe a little. I offer up so much in prayer but am not patient enough to watch what God does with that. Although I can't just say "I am waiting on God" with everything--some things DO take action but there is a fine line there I think.
Kristen,
I think that it depends on the nature of the relationship you have with that particular person. I think that Beth is right, you have to pray over it but if it is someone you are close to and who shares our faith, I think you can say something sooner and maybe more direct than if that person is new to their faith. I always get afraid to repeat the mistakes that were made in my upbringing yet as Christians, we are called to help each other grow. Yet, sometimes that can be seen as judgement or stereotypical Christian behavior. (dare we repeat the mistakes of our parents! HAHA)I think you have to pray that God puts the right words on your heart and that you can say things in such a way that would honor Him and not drive the other person away. You also pray that God will keep their mind open as you speak to them. You are a true leader in Christ. God has blessed you with amazing gifts--one of which is confrontation. I think that He will put the right words on your lips and in your heart. (If this is a real life situation rather than just a hypothetical question for sake of the blog...)
I did the BCP hours this morning. I'm having a low energy morning which is bad because it's sermon prep all day. Hope this week's sermon doesn't put everyone to sleep!
-t
And we chose Chinese cuisine for our Volunteer Celebration why???? They don't even eat dessert!!!
I am reading Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God. Really good stuff. I need to process it more before I say anything, especially in writing because it takes me longer to be coherent in print.
Kristen, I'll have to think about that one.
I read Psalm 49 this morning. At first I found myself lining up on the side of the Psalmist as if he were not like those he was writing against. But then I realized that I had misunderstood who the Psalmist thought he was. He says, "But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for He will receive me." The Psalmist had written that those who are all about their own splendor and grandeur will not endure. Their end is Sheol. But I don't think the Psalmist sees himself as different from those he writes against. It seems like he is lining up as one of then. But there is, of course, one difference and that is his confession of faith in God to redeem him from the path that leads to death.
By the way, the "word verification" below the comment box is "flerc". I gotta figure out a way to use that in a sentence.
"If we are truly following God's calling - the things he puts before us will only be able to be carried out with His help."
A simple concept, but one I struggle with. I read this today and it is helpful because my inclination is to try to figure everything out and fix things through analysis, research, and conversation. I exhaust myself by trying to do what ultimately only God will be able to do through me.
After a rough children's ministry meeting, it has become apparent that God's going to have to guide me to the other side. It's 5:30am, and I've been up since 2. That's how long I will research and analyze before conceding to the fact that God's going to have to do this one....pitiful. It would have been nice to realize that at 2:30.
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